Syracuse, NY -- A Syracuse man who was accused of arson in several recent fires and is under suspicion in several others has been found competent to stand trial.

That means the charges against Glenn Winney, 47, will go forward, his lawyer Jeffrey Domachowski said this morning.

At the defense lawyer's request, in June Onondaga County Judge Joseph Fahey ordered the mental examination of Winney.

The judge this morning gave reports to the prosecution and defense saying that examiners found that the defendant understood the charges against him and could assist in his own defense.

Winney was charged in May with second-degree arson in connection with two May 16 fires.

He is accused of setting fire to a pile of leaves on the front porch of 529 Park Ave., and of setting fire to several trees and a laundry cart next to the Gridley Building in the 100 block of East Water Street.

Prosecutors have said that Winney is the suspect in a number of other recent fires in and around the downtown.